'''Weathertop''', known in [[Sindarin]] as '''Amon Sûl''', was the southernmost top of the [[Weather Hills]]. Of old, it formed the boundary between [[Arthedain]] and [[Rhudaur]].

'''Weathertop''', known in [[Sindarin]] as '''Amon Sûl''', was the southernmost top of the [[Weather Hills]]. Of old, it formed the boundary between [[Arthedain]] and [[Rhudaur]].

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==History==

==History==

===Early History===

===Early History===

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The Weather Hills were not the only hills in Eriador, and were originally of little importance. The hills lied at the center of [[Arnor]], near the [[Great East Road]] that split [[Eriador]].<ref>{{RK|Maps}}</ref> The southernmost and highest hill was called Amon Sûl by the [[Dúnedain of the North]], and Weathertop in [[Westron]]. It stood a little away from the others, and its conical top was flattened.<ref name="Knife">{{FR|Knife}}</ref>

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The Weather Hills were not the only hills in Eriador, and were originally of little importance. The hills lay at the center of [[Arnor]], near the [[Great East Road]] that split [[Eriador]].<ref>{{RK|Maps}}</ref> The southernmost and highest hill was called Amon Sûl by the [[Dúnedain of the North]], and Weathertop in [[Westron]]. It stood a little away from the others, and its conical top was flattened.<ref name="Knife">{{FR|Knife}}</ref>

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A tower had stood on the hill since the days of [[Elendil]], and he had stored on of the [[Palantíri]] in its chambers. After King [[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]] passed and the kingdom was split in three, all of his sons coveted the hill, or rather the [[Amon Sûl-stone|Stone]] inside. It lied on the exact tri-state point, but eventually passed to [[Arthedain]], the realm of [[Amlaith]], the eldest son of Eärendur.<ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

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A tower had stood on the hill since the days of [[Elendil]], and he had stored the [[Palantír]] in its chambers. After King [[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]] passed and the kingdom was split in three, all of his sons coveted the hill, or rather the [[Amon Sûl-stone|Stone]] inside. It lay on the exact tri-state point, but eventually passed to [[Arthedain]], the realm of [[Amlaith]], the eldest son of Eärendur.<ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

For many centuries, the once great fortress stood in ruins on the hill. The locals paid little heed to it. It faded back into obscurity, and it was not until {{TA|3019}} the hill reappeared in the chronicles and annals. In early October, it was the scene of two fights involving the [[Nazgûl]]; one with [[Gandalf]] on [[October 3]] and one with [[Frodo Baggins|the Ring-bearer]] [[October 6|three days later]].<ref name="Chief">{{App|Chief}}</ref> After fleeing from Bree, [[Aragorn|Strider]] and the [[Travelers|Hobbits]] avoided the main road and approached Weathertop from the north. At the top they discovered a cairn with a message from Gandalf, and spotted the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] approaching in the distance along the road. That night, the Ringwraiths attacked their camp in a dell below the summit, stabbing [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] with a [[Morgul blade]], but were driven off by the others.<ref name="Knife"/>

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For many centuries, the once great fortress stood in ruins on the hill. The locals paid little heed to it. It faded back into obscurity, and it was not until {{TA|3019}} the hill reappeared in the chronicles and annals. In early October, it was the scene of two fights involving the [[Nazgûl]]; one with [[Gandalf]] on [[3 October|October 3]] and one with [[Frodo Baggins|the Ring-bearer]] [[6 October|three days later]].<ref name="Chief">{{App|Chief}}</ref> After fleeing from Bree, [[Aragorn|Strider]] and the [[Travelers|Hobbits]] avoided the main road and approached Weathertop from the north. At the top they discovered a cairn with a message from Gandalf, and spotted the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] approaching in the distance along the road. That night, the Ringwraiths attacked their camp in a dell below the summit, stabbing [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] with a [[Morgul blade]], but were driven off by the others.<ref name="Knife"/>

==Portrayal in Adaptations==

==Portrayal in Adaptations==

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'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)]]'':'''

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)]]'':'''

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:Weathertop is the second level. Aragorn must drive the Nazgûl asway before they kill Frodo.

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:Weathertop is the second level. Aragorn must drive the Nazgûl away before they kill Frodo.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''

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:Destroying Amon Sûl is the fourth level in the ''Angmar'' campaign in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch King|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. The bastion is protected by five mystical Mallorn trees: one generates a solar flare that incinerates enemies, one heals damaged buildings, one creates lush Elvish pastures (that boost the Men's armor and damage), one stuns targeted enemies and one summons a battalion of archers. The mission is completed when either all five mallorns are destroyed, or the tower falls.

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:Destroying Amon Sûl is the fourth level in the ''Angmar'' campaign in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. The bastion is protected by five mystical Mallorn trees: one generates a solar flare that incinerates enemies, one heals damaged buildings, one creates lush Elvish pastures (that boost the Men's armor and damage), one stuns targeted enemies and one summons a battalion of archers. The mission is completed when either all five mallorns are destroyed, or the tower falls.

:Additionally, two maps of Amon Sûl are available in Skirmish mode: one with the tower, which is identical to the mission save for the Mallorn trees, and one with the tower in ruins and all other buildings removed.

:Additionally, two maps of Amon Sûl are available in Skirmish mode: one with the tower, which is identical to the mission save for the Mallorn trees, and one with the tower in ruins and all other buildings removed.

Contents

History

Early History

The Weather Hills were not the only hills in Eriador, and were originally of little importance. The hills lay at the center of Arnor, near the Great East Road that split Eriador.[1] The southernmost and highest hill was called Amon Sûl by the Dúnedain of the North, and Weathertop in Westron. It stood a little away from the others, and its conical top was flattened.[2]

A tower had stood on the hill since the days of Elendil, and he had stored the Palantír in its chambers. After King Eärendur passed and the kingdom was split in three, all of his sons coveted the hill, or rather the Stone inside. It lay on the exact tri-state point, but eventually passed to Arthedain, the realm of Amlaith, the eldest son of Eärendur.[3]

Destruction

The Fall of Amon Sûl

In the days of Argeleb, the royal lines of Cardolan and Rhudaur had failed. Argeleb therefore claimed both realms as his own, hoping to reunite Arnor, but the claim was resisted by Rhudaur, where the Dúnedain had dwindled and the land was now largely ruled by hillmen. These hillmen were driven by the Witch-king, who had set up his realm Angmar to Arthedain's north.

With tensions rising, Argeleb fortified his border. A great bastion arose on Weathertop, and the Great East Road and lower Hoarwell were fortified also. For nigh half a century, the line held, though Argeleb lost his life in battle with the Hillmen. The Witch-king did not trouble the Men, and had sent his troops further East, to Rivendell. But in T.A.1409, he came forth with such a force from Angmar that no army could stop him. He razed Amon Sûl and brought its mighty walls down.[3]Arveleg, son of Argeleb, was slain,[4] but the Lord of the Nazgûl failed to retrieve the palantir. It was secured and brought back to Fornost.[3]

In ruins

For many centuries, the once great fortress stood in ruins on the hill. The locals paid little heed to it. It faded back into obscurity, and it was not until T.A.3019 the hill reappeared in the chronicles and annals. In early October, it was the scene of two fights involving the Nazgûl; one with Gandalf on October 3 and one with the Ring-bearerthree days later.[5] After fleeing from Bree, Strider and the Hobbits avoided the main road and approached Weathertop from the north. At the top they discovered a cairn with a message from Gandalf, and spotted the Ringwraiths approaching in the distance along the road. That night, the Ringwraiths attacked their camp in a dell below the summit, stabbing Frodo with a Morgul blade, but were driven off by the others.[2]

Weathertop is the fifth level. Aragorn has to take the four Hobbits to the hilltop, battling wolves and Orcs on the way there. At the top, they notice Gandalf had been there, and dropped a rune stone. As he explains it to Frodo, a troll attacks, and serves as the level's boss.

Destroying Amon Sûl is the fourth level in the Angmar campaign in The Rise of the Witch-king. The bastion is protected by five mystical Mallorn trees: one generates a solar flare that incinerates enemies, one heals damaged buildings, one creates lush Elvish pastures (that boost the Men's armor and damage), one stuns targeted enemies and one summons a battalion of archers. The mission is completed when either all five mallorns are destroyed, or the tower falls.

Additionally, two maps of Amon Sûl are available in Skirmish mode: one with the tower, which is identical to the mission save for the Mallorn trees, and one with the tower in ruins and all other buildings removed.